18 Aug 2024

As the country moves to transition from middle to high income status, Batswana have been urged to ramp up the national change agenda under the National Mindset Change banner.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Honourable Mmusi Kgafela said during the Mindset Change Campaign one year anniversary commemoration in Mochudi that it was imperative to embrace change. 

He said there was need to promote positive self-value in every little task, drive culture of excellence and be in control of all productive economic activities.

In that regard, he said the imposed ban on agricultural imports should no longer be imposed by the ministry, but the production of products should create the need not to import.

Mr Kgafela urged Batswana to work hard and be in the forefront of the country’s economic activities and excel in the businesses reserved for them.

He said agricultural products should be good enough to appeal to the local market, rather than importing products available locally.

He regretted that although measures of introducing ban were meant to protect nascent industries and promote economic self-sufficiency, the move to some extent was not healthy for regional trade protocols.

“As a trade minister I should not be doing that because we have trading partners in the region and are looking to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area. We need to take control of our own market and be self-sufficient,” he said.

 Therefore, urged Batswana work hard to improve their livelihoods, and reduce dependency on imports.

Kgatleng District Commissioner, Ms Kolobetso Sejakgomo said Kgatleng made progress in Mindset Change activities, but noted that more still needed to done.

She encouraged Bakgatla to use the day to reflect on the achievements and share ideas on that could energise them.

Kgosi Mpho Pone said the Mindset Change Campaign was impactful as evidenced by how some people carried themselves. Ends